Insights & News

LGBT+ rights at work: no room for complacency

15 February 2023

As we mark LGBT+ history month in February 2023, this article looks at the current position of LGBT+ people in the workplace and the challenges that still remain.

What’s happening in employment law in 2023?

05 January 2023

There’s lots happening in employment law all of a sudden. 2023 looks set to be a year in which major employment law changes are shaped and fleshed out. From the post-Brexit reform agenda to a series of private members’ bills, key caselaw decisions to other planned developments, there is much change on the horizon, and little time for us to get our heads around it. Here’s our annual round-up of what to expect.

What's happening in employment law in Ireland in 2023

05 January 2023

The whirlwind of workplace and employment law developments we saw in 2022 is set to continue with multiple proposals for reform in the pipeline, including requirements on employers to deal with flexible and remote work requests, the introduction of a national living wage and other reforms flowing from the EU. Here’s our annual round-up of what to expect.

What’s happening in employment law in Northern Ireland in 2023?

04 January 2023

With the continuing lack of a functioning Executive and Assembly in Northern Ireland, employment law remains more or less in stalemate. That said, the active post-Brexit reform agenda impacts Northern Ireland and the decision in an important holiday pay case is expected. Here’s our annual round-up of what to expect.

When can a termination discussion be without prejudice?

15 December 2022

For a discussion to be “without prejudice” there must be an existing dispute between the parties. A recent EAT case helpfully clarified when a grievance will count as a dispute for these purposes.

Modernising flexible working - day one “right to request” but no “right to have”

08 December 2022

The government’s response to consultation on flexible working proposes a “day one” right to request and various other changes to the current rules, but stops short of more radical reform.

John Lewis ad spotlights children in care - and a potential gap in diversity initiatives?

17 November 2022

This year’s John Lewis Christmas advert has highlighted the challenges faced by children in care and their foster families. This follows a recent review calling for care experience to be a protected characteristic under the Equality Act. As John Lewis commits to becoming the employer of choice for care experienced young people, this article considers if there is a gap in current diversity initiatives.

Hybrid working arrangements

Inbrief

26 October 2022

Following the widespread experience of employees working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic, some employers are starting to implement hybrid working arrangements on a longer-term basis.

Menopause and work

Inbrief

11 October 2022

Women over the age of 50 are the fastest growing group in the workforce. As more employees go through the menopause during their working lives, employers need to be aware of the impact in the workplace.

Gender pay gap reporting

Inbrief

07 September 2022

The Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2017 (the “Regulations”) require employers to report on the gender pay gap in their organisation.

Equal Pay

Inbrief

14 August 2022

Equal pay law first developed in the UK in the 1970s after a campaign by trade unions and women's groups. The principle that men and women who do equal work should receive equal pay is implemented through the Equality Act 2010.

Disability discrimination

Inbrief

20 July 2022

The Equality Act 2010 governs the law relating to unlawful discrimination, including disability discrimination. There are some special protections for disabled people in addition to those which apply to other protected groups, including the duty to make reasonable adjustments. This Inbrief gives an overview of the law in the employment context.

Maya Forstater wins gender critical belief claim

07 July 2022

Following last year’s ruling by the Employment Appeal Tribunal that her “gender critical” beliefs were protected under the Equality Act, Maya Forstater has won her discrimination claim.

Diversity monitoring: what to collect and how to comply with the law

19 June 2022

To improve the diversity of your workforce, you need to measure it, and this means collecting and monitoring data. But what questions should you ask employees about their individual characteristics and how can you handle that information lawfully? This article takes an in-depth look at these questions.

Financial Conduct Authority launches new diversity targets with comply or explain obligation

17 May 2022

The FCA has taken another step towards improving board diversity and inclusion with the introduction of new ethnic and gender diversity targets for listed companies, and an accompanying obligation on firms to comply or explain.

Ethnicity pay gap reporting and intersectionality

17 May 2022

The government has said that ethnicity pay gap reporting won’t be mandatory, but many employers are choosing to do it anyway, adding ethnicity pay gap reporting to their existing obligation to report gender pay gaps each year. But what about the intersection of ethnicity AND gender?

Flexible working - the right to ask

Inbrief

08 April 2022

Employees seeking a better balance between the demands of work and personal life may seek a change in their working arrangements – for example, through part-time working, job-sharing or a change in working hours. While there is no right to insist on working in a different way, there is a statutory right to ask for a flexible working arrangement and to have that request seriously considered.